While sorting out my pocket change last night I was thrilled to find this 1945-S cent! Coin collectors refer to US cent coins from 1944-46 as "Shell Case Copper" cents. It seems that the steel cents from 1943 were very unpopular so in 1944 the mints began using spent shell casings, mostly from gunnery training camps as a source of metal for the coins. Some sources I looked up say that some of the San Francisco -S- coins were also made from shell casings removed from ships returning to port from the war zones.

So check that pocket change folks!

Mikie

The other week I got coffee at a gas station before heading out to hit some thrifts, my change came back and included a Indian head nickel, well worn but still unexpected. Later that day I found a set of ARVN tiger stripes for $5.

 

Im always looking at my quarters to see if I find any pre 65, usually forget to check the other stuff.

It's been a while since I found a wheat back penny. A year or so since finding any silver. Sometimes you just get lucky.

Excellent!